In a pointed exchange that has set diplomatic nerves jangling across East Asia, Japan’s defence minister has taken aim at China’s expanding military stockpile, dismissing accusations that Tokyo is itself on a militaristic path. Speaking at a press conference in Tokyo, the minister described China’s arsenal as ‘huge’ and urged Beijing to show greater transparency about its defence build-up.
The remarks come amid a period of heightened tension in the region, with both nations locked in a rhetorical war over sovereignty in the East China Sea and the future of Taiwan. On the streets of Tokyo, the debate feels distant to some but alarmingly real to others. Yuki Tanaka, a 34-year-old office worker, told me: ‘We hear about missiles and islands, but what about the cost? My taxes are rising, and my children are growing up with news of possible conflict.’
There is a subtle shift in the Japanese psyche. For decades, the nation’s post-war constitution imposed a pacifist identity, a cultural scar from the horrors of the 20th century. Now, as the government plans the largest military build-up since the Second World War, a quiet unease pervades the tea houses and train stations. The minister’s denial of militarism might satisfy diplomats, but on the ground, people are asking: what does it mean to be a ‘normal’ nation with a ‘defensive’ force?
Meanwhile, in Beijing, state media has reacted with predictable fury, accusing Japan of reviving its imperialist past. This tit-for-tat is as much about domestic politics as international posturing. For Japan’s ruling party, a strong stance against China is a vote-winner. For Xi Jinping, it is about projecting strength.
Yet the human cost of this arms spiral is rarely discussed. Every new destroyer or missile battery represents schools not built, pensions not funded. The cultural shift from pacifism to pragmatism is a slow burn, but it is real. As the minister’s words echo through the region, one wonders: are we witnessing the end of Japan’s peace constitution in all but name?
